Dean Bowditch scored twice, the first a penalty, as Town's reserves started their season with a 2-1 home win over Portsmouth. The visitors went ahead after a blunder from keeper Andy Reynolds before Bowditch netted a goal in each half.
Lowestoft Town keeper Reynolds played in goal for the Blues with Shane Supple needed for the first team on Saturday and Lewis Price and Icelandic academy stopper Ã"skar Pétursson both out injured. Former Town loanee David Unsworth was not included in the Pompey squad.
Reynolds, who had been on the bench as the Town U18s beat Southampton in the FA Youth Cup final last season, was into the action quickly, saving James Keene's shot in the opening minute of the game.
Portsmouth glovesman Jamie Ashdown was first seriously tested in the 18th minute when he palmed away Dean McDonald's cross shot just beyond Dean Bowditch. Shortly afterwards Owen Garvan got his name in the book for a late tackle on Tom Settle.
The visitors went in front in the 24th minute when Liam Horsted's speculative 25-yard shot squirmed under Reynolds and into the net.
Town were back on terms five minutes later when McDonald played in Bowditch on the right of the penalty area and the England U19 international was tripped by Gary Silk. Bowditch himself took the spotkick, Ashdown diving to his left and the ball going to the keeper's right.
Jaime Peters went close with a chest-down and then shot in the 33rd minute before Liam Craig struck a curling effort which was deflected wide.
Town were well on top and Craig went close again but Ashdown tipped his shot round the post. Jimmy Juan headed wide when well placed in the 44th minute, appearing to be trying to set up Bowditch when he might have been better going for goal himself.
The Blues replaced Michael Synnott, playing his first reserve game after his summer knee operation, with Sammy Moore at the break.
Three minutes into the second period Garvan struck a shot which Ashdown couldn't hold but the keeper managed to block Jaime Peters's rebound.
Dean McDonald spent time down injured in the 55th minute after an awkward challenge and was replaced with Darryl Knights four minutes later, quickly putting an ice pack on his leg once back in the dug-out.
Reynolds redeemed his earlier error by making a fine save from Giannis Skopelitis and then blocking a Svet Todorov effort. The Bulgarian, back after a lengthy injury absence, had a less than impressive evening, spurning a number of chances and throwing himself dramatically to ground on several occasions.
On 63 the Blues went in front. Garvan found Peters wide on the right and the Canadian played a superb inch-perfect ball into the path of Bowditch who slipped it past Ashdown for his second goal of the game.
Reynolds made an even better save from a powerful Todorov shot in the 65th minute, confusion between Casement and Collins having presented the former West Ham striker with the chance.
Liam Trotter replaced Owen Garvan on 76, the Irish midfielder presumably being kept back for Saturday's first team game with Sheffield Wednesday.
Ashdown saved from Peters a minute later prior to Reynolds making another fine stop, this time from Horsted.
Late on Knights failed to trouble Ashdown with a 25-yard shot and Bowditch's opportunity to complete his hat-trick was thwarted by a linesman's flag.
Bowditch was the star of the show looking sharp throughout and taking his goals confidently. Peters got better as the game went along, while Garvan and Juan were largely in control of the midfield.
Town were the better side throughout playing some slick passing football, although Reynolds frustrated Portsmouth on a number of occasions, more than making up for his early error.
Reserves: Reynolds, Synnott (Moore 46), Barron, Juan, Collins, Casement, Peters, Garvan (Trotter 76), Bowditch, McDonald (Knights 59), Craig. Unused: Lordan. Att: 439.